Workers of Ore Asia in Bulacan take a break by sitting on top of stockpiles of iron ore.
The BENRO recommended the formation of a fact finding and oversight committee that will conductregular inspection on the site.
Photo by Dino Balabo
MALOLOS CITY—Citing neglect of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) officials, the Bulacan provincial government recommended the formation of a fact finding and oversight committee on the operations of large scale mining site in the province.
This came after a team composed of personnel of the Bulacan environment office, DENR, and a non-governmental organization (NGO) conducted a surprised inspection at the 440 hectare mining site of Ore Asia mining and Development Corporation (Ore Asia) at Barangay Camachin in the mountain town of Donya Remedios Trinidad (DRT) on Saturday.
“If evidences will warrant, we will recommend the suspension or cancellation of their Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) obtained by Ore Asia from DENR,” said Lawyer Teddy De Belen, head of the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO).
However, he said that before making any move, they will first form a fact finding and oversight committee that will undertake processes leading to the said recommendation.
As a holder of an MPSA, Ore Asia has been conducting iron ore mining in a 440 hectare site in the mountain town of DRT which was inspected by BENRO and DENR on Saturday.
The inspection team found that Ore Asia lack design as shown by the magnitude of sporadic and unplanned mining activities in the area that covers more than 20 hectares.
There is also lack on indication of any rehabilitation program based on an approved mine rehabilitation and decommissioning plan.
The inspection team also found too much destruction on the area as shown by deforested area, and evidences of soil erosion, mudslides, and siltation on the Bakal Creek leading to Balaong River in San Miguel town.
Aside from the above, the team also found child labor and occupational and health safety concerns in the area, along with huge stockpile of iron ore not only of Ore Asia but also allegedly of Mayor Rey Flores of DRT.
“This is a classic large scale mining approved by the DENR which is not properly regulated probably because of lack of personnel or obvious neglect of the concerned DENR officials,” De Belen wrote in his preliminary report.
“It is also a classic case of too much destruction for a little economic benefit for the province,” he added.
De Belen said that while Ore Asia’s operation is under the jurisdiction of the DENR, they exercised visitorial power based on the complaint of the Diocese of Malolos submitted to Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado.
He said “due to irresponsible mining activities in the area, the provincial government of Bulacan through the BENRO will take appropriate steps to ensure environmental protection and public safety.”
He also advised Ore Asia to implement measures for responsible and sustainable mining operations through well-planned mining design and rehabilitation plan.
